Broadcast system in disk array controller

ABSTRACT

A disk controller which includes a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each interface having a processor, a memory unit coupled to the interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, the memory unit having a memory in which information is stored, and a common bus coupling to the processors included in the interfaces. Each processor of each interface transmits broadcast data to all of the processors of the interfaces, except its own, by way of the common bus.

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/524,270, filed Mar. 13, 2000, Now U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,294 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a disk array controller utilizing a shared memory type multiprocessor system, and the invention relates in particular to technology for broadcasting of information shared between processors.

A disk array controller utilizing a shared memory type multiprocessor system has a structure as shown in FIG. 3. The controller shown in FIG. 3 is comprised of a plurality of CPU-PK (packages) 301, a shared memory package (SM-PK) #A 303 holding shared memories for storing control information, and a shared memory package (SM-PK) #B 304, all connected by a shared memory bus 302. Each CPU-PK (package) is connected to either a host computer or a disk device. Each CPU-PK (package) has a plurality of CPUs, and each CPU performs data transmission from the disk device or the host computer, or controls data transmission to the disk device or the host computer utilizing control information stored in the memory. In this way, when each CPU is connected on a common bus, the information from each CPU is routed along the common bus so that information from a particular CPU is sent to all the other CPUs and broadcasting can easily be performed.

Though not related to a disk array controller, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 61-45647 discloses a multibroadcast system connected to a common bus for broadcasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the disk array controller using a common bus system as shown in FIG. 3, access requests from CPUs inside a CPU-PK (package) are concentrated in one shared memory bus so that, when additional CPU-PK (packages) are connected to the shared memory bus, bottlenecks occur in data transfer along the common bus, and improved access to the shared memory becomes difficult.

Further, when use of high performance CPUs is attempted in the CPU-PK (package), the data transfer capacity of the common bus becomes a bottleneck versus the performance of these processors, and matching the performance of these processors becomes difficult.

However, the problem of the shared memory method can be resolved by connecting access paths in a one to one ratio between the shared memory and the CPUs inside the CPU-PK (package) and providing a disk array controller with an access path structure utilizing a star connection.

The star connection method, however, has nothing equivalent to the common bus for allowing information to flow from each CPU so that, just as with the common bus method, broadcasting cannot be easily performed. This invention therefore has the object of providing a disk array controller with a star connection between a plurality of processors and a shared memory, and which is capable of broadcasting.

In order to achieve the above objects, the disk array controller of this invention has a plurality of processors to control the interface with the disk device or the host device, and along with a star connection and shared memory to store the control information, utilizes one of the following five methods.

Firstly, a method wherein a structure has common broadcast dedicated buses between processors.

Secondly, a method wherein a register is provided to store broadcast data in the shared memory controller, and each processor reads the register data by means of a broadcast interruption signal output from the shared memory controller.

Thirdly, a method wherein a register is provided to store broadcast data in the shared memory controller, and the broadcast data is written by the shared memory controller in a broadcast register provided in the shared memory access I/F controller of each processor.

Fourthly, a method wherein switch mechanisms are connected between the access I/F from each processor within the shared memory controller or within the shared memory package (hereafter called PK), the switch mechanisms maintain a one-to-many connection, and data is written in a broadcast register within the shared memory I/F controller of each processor.

Fifthly, a method wherein a register is provided to store broadcast data in the shared memory controller, and data written by a processor in a register is read by register polling by other processors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of one embodiment of the disk array controller of this invention.

FIG. 2 is block diagram of one embodiment of the disk array controller of this invention.

FIG. 3 is block diagram showing a disk array controller using the shared memory bus method of the prior art.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the first broadcast method of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the second broadcast method of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data flow in the second broadcast method.

FIG. 7 is block diagram showing the structure of the CPU package.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the third broadcast method of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the data flow in the third broadcast method.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the fourth broadcast method of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the data flow in the fourth broadcast method.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the fifth broadcast method of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data flow in the fifth broadcast method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The overall structure of a disk array controller is shown in FIG. 1. A controller 2 of this embodiment is comprised of a CPU-PK#L through CPU-PK#N (101) connected to a host computer, and a CPU-PK#L through CPU-PK#N (101) connected with a plurality of magnetic disks. The CPU-PK#L through CPU-PK#N (101) connected to the host computer, and the CPU-PK#L through CPU-PK#N (101) connected with a plurality of magnetic disks, are connected with a plurality of cache memories 113, SM-PK#A108 and SM-PK#B109 by a plurality of access paths, but are connected with a cache memory 113 by way of a selector 114. Here, the cache memory 113 is comprised of a memory package or one LSI chip, etc. Each CPU-PK has a plurality of CPUs 102 to control the I/F connection to the host 1 or the I/F connected to a magnetic disk 220, a shared memory path I/F controller (MPA) 111 controlling the access paths to the SM-PK#A108 and SM-PK#B109, and a cache memory path I/F controller (DTA) 112 for controlling the access paths to the cache memory package 113. Data from the host (device) is stored in the cache memory 113, and control information is stored in the shared memory inside the SM-PK#A and SM-PK#B. Here the designation I/F denotes an interface.

Large quantities of data must be transferred at high speed between the DTA112 and the cache 113 so that increasing the number of access paths between the DTA112 and the cache 113 is necessary. A one-to-one connection between the DTA112 and the cache 113 is ideal. However, there is a physical limit to the number of connectors that can be mounted on the package comprising the cache 113 or on the number of pins that can be mounted on the LSI comprising the cache 113 so that the number of access paths that can be added between the DTA112 and the cache 113 is limited. The number of access paths between the DTA112 and the selector 114 can however be increased by installing a selector 114 between the DTA112 and the cache 113 and by connecting the DTA112 and the selector 114 in a one-to-one connection. By restricting the access path requests from a plurality of DTA112 to a specified number with the selector 114, the number of access paths between the caches 113 and the selector 114 can be reduced to a number smaller than the access paths between the DTA112 and the cache 113 to thus eliminate the above mentioned problem of a limited number of connectors or pins.

The shared memory, on the other hand, does not require the transfer of large data in as large amounts as the cache memory 113, however the number of transactions must be increased and the response time required for one data transfer must be shortened. The SMA-PK and the CPU-PK were therefore connected without using a selector, in order to avoid delays from occurring at the selector.

A selector may however be installed between the MPA and the SM-PK. As will be clearly shown in the following explanation, the subsequently described broadcast method is still applicable even if a selector is installed between the MPA and SM-PK.

FIG. 2, besides utilizing the CPU-PK101 and the SM-PK#A108 and SM-PL#B109 of FIG. 1, also shows the structure of the CPU-PK101 in more detail. The CPU-PK101 may be the CPU-PK connected to the host 1 or may be the CPU-PK connected to the magnetic disk 3.

In each CPU-PK101, the plurality of CPUs 102 and each local memory 103 corresponding to each CPU102 are connected to a local bus I/F104. Each local bus I/F104 is connected to the MPA111. The DTA112 is omitted.

Each CPU-PK101 is connected to the SMA-PK#A108 and SMA-PK#B109 by a plurality of common memory busses 105, 106 (total of 4 buses in this embodiment). The SMA-PK#A108 and SMA-PK#B109 have the same structure and respectively contain a shared memory controller A (SMA-A) and a shared memory controller B (SMA-B) 110, and shared memory 107.

Next, how broadcast is accomplished in the disk array controller with the architecture described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described.

(First Method)

The first method will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The first method is mainly characterized by the provision of a broadcast dedicated bus. A broadcast dedicated bus controller 401 is installed inside the MPA11 in each CPU-PK101. This broadcast dedicated bus controller 401 is connected between a broadcast dedicated bus 0 (402) and the broadcast dedicated bus 1 (403). When a CPU102 is broadcasting to another CPU102, a broadcast request signal is sent to the broadcast dedicated bus controller 401. In order to acquire rights to use the broadcast dedicated bus, the broadcast dedicated bus controller 401 that received the broadcast request signal, sends a request for broadcast dedicated bus usage rights to an arbiter 404 or 405. The arbiters 404 or 405 carry out mediation processing when faced with competing requests from broadcast dedicated bus controllers 401 from another CPU-PK. The broadcast dedicated bus controller 401 that was assigned usage rights from the arbiters 404 or 405, sends broadcast data sent from a CPU102, along the broadcast dedicated bus. The broadcast dedicated bus controllers 401, in each CPU-PK other than the CPU-PK that sent the broadcast data, are constantly monitoring the broadcast dedicated bus, and when the transmission of broadcast data on the broadcast dedicated bus is detected, that broadcast data is received and sent to each CPU102 inside the same CPU-PK. The method for transmission of broadcast data to a CPU102 includes a method for transmitting an interruption signal to the CPU102, storing the broadcast data in a register, and a method (polling) for allowing each CPU102 to view the contents of that register.

The broadcast dedicated bus does not have to transfer large amounts of data as was required in the shared memory bus of the prior art described with reference to FIG. 3. Therefore, there is no need for a large throughput as in the common bus of the prior art. Data transmission can be achieved with the minimum required number of signal lines.

Moreover, a broadcast dedicated bus memory controller 401 is installed inside the MPA111 in this embodiment; however, installation inside an MPA111 is not necessarily required. When the broadcast dedicated bus control 401 is installed outside the MPA111, however, then a local bus I/F104 must also be connected to the broadcast dedicated bus control 401.

The second through fifth methods described next have a common feature in that broadcast data is at one point sent to a shared memory controller or shared memory PK in a common section of the processor inside the controller and in this way, is broadcast to the processors. Further, in whatever method, the exchange of broadcast data between the processor and the shared memory I/F controller is performed by a method utilizing an interruption signal or a method using register polling.

(Second-Method)

The second method will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

The main characteristic of this method is the provision of a broadcast interruption signal line 502. A broadcast register group 503 corresponding to each MPA111 is installed inside the shared memory controller (SMA) 110. A broadcast data transmission source CPU102 writes the broadcast data onto a broadcast data register 504 by way of the shared memory buses 105, 106. When data is written onto the broadcast data register 504, that broadcast data is also written onto each MPA register group 503. Along with this data writing, each MPA broadcast interrupt signal output circuit 505 sends a signal to the broadcast interruption signal line 502 and an interrupt signal is sent to each CPU102 by way of each MPA111.

The CPU102 inside each CPU-PK reads the corresponding MPA broadcast register 503 written with the broadcast data. The data that is read out is stored in the broadcast register group 501 inside the corresponding MPA111. None of the other CPUs 102 contained in that CPU-PK view the broadcast data stored in the SMA, but they do view the broadcast data stored in the broadcast register group 501 inside the corresponding MPA111. In this method, it is sufficient if only one CPU102 inside the CPU-PK proceeds to read the MPA broadcast register group 503 so that the time used on the shared memory path can be decreased. The received data is stored at this time in the register of each CPU, and can be added by OR summing of the plurality of received broadcast data as a method of storing the data at this time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data flow in this broadcast method for receiving data among the broadcast transmit source CPU and MPA, broadcast receive signal destination CPU, MPA, and the SMA. When one CPU 102 inside a CPU-PK101 reads the MPA broadcast register group 503 for the corresponding CPU on receiving a broadcast interruption signal, the remaining CPU102 in the CPU-PK101 read-accesses the broadcast register group 501 inside the MPA and the broadcast is completed. The period for output of the interruption signal is the interval from data write onto the broadcast data register up to the read-access of the CPU.

FIG. 7 is block diagram showing the structure of the CPU-PK (package). A broadcast circuit 701 for each CPU102 is provided within its own package in the MPA111.

The broadcast data that was received in the MPA is stored in the broadcast data register 702. When data is stored in the broadcast data register 702, a broadcast interruption signal output circuit 703 transmits an interruption signal to each CPU within its own package. When the reading of broadcast data by each CPU is completed by the transmission of this interruption signal, the CPU resets the broadcast data by writing in the broadcast data reset register 704 and the output of the interruption signal stops.

(Third Method)

The third method will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

In this method, a broadcast register group 801, and a broadcast transmission slave circuit 802 are installed inside each MPA111. Also, a broadcast transmission master circuit 803, and a broadcast register group 804 are provided inside the SMA110.

When the broadcast data is written onto the broadcast register group 804, the broadcast transmission master circuit 803 transmits a write request for broadcast data to each MPA111 by way of the shared memories 805, 806. The broadcast transmission slave circuit 802 for each MPA111 receives the write request from the SMA110 and writes the received broadcast data onto the broadcast register group 801. A method which is the same as the above-described as the second method may be utilized for data transfer to each CPU102 from the MPA111.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of data exchange between the broadcast transmit source CPU and MPA, the broadcast receive destination CPU, MPA, and the SMA in this broadcast method. The SMA has a broadcast transmission master circuit 803 and writes broadcast data in the broadcast register group of each MPA, and each CPU receives broadcast data up to the access of the MPA111 inside its own CPU-PK. Therefore, just the same as in the second method, the usage rate of the shared memory buses 805, 806 can be reduced.

(Fourth Method)

The fourth method will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In this method, a path switching device 154 is installed inside the SMA110 and a one-to-many connection status is established by this path switching device. The path switching device 154 detects a broadcast data transmit request from the MPA111, connects the shared memory buses 152 or 153 from the transmit request source, to other shared memory buses 152 or 153, and establishes a one-to-many transfer path status. Crossbar switches may be utilized for example as the path switching device 154. Equivalent components may also be utilized.

A broadcast transmit slave circuit 155 is installed in the MPA111 and writes the broadcast data received from another MPA in the broadcast register group 151. The transfer from the MPA to the CPU102 of its own CPU-PK may utilize a method the same method as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of data exchange between the broadcast transmit source CPU and MPA, the broadcast receive destination CPU, MPA, and the SMA in the broadcast method for this method. By establishing a one-to-many physical connection the same as with the common path by means of the path switching device, the CPU participates in receiving broadcast data from the SMA and broadcast is possible without installing a master circuit for transmission into the SMA.

(Fifth Method)

The fifth method will be described with reference to FIG. 12. A broadcast register group 181 is installed inside the MPA, and a broadcast register group 183 for each MPA is installed in the SMA. The CPU for the broadcast transmit source writes the broadcast data in the broadcast data register 184 inside the SMA. When the CPU for the broadcast transmit source writes the broadcast data into the broadcast data register 184 inside the SMA, that broadcast data is written in all the MPA broadcast data registers 183 within that SMA. Each CPU for other than the broadcast transmit source performs polling of each MPA broadcast data register 183, and each CPU writes the applicable data that was read out into the connected broadcast register group 181, and the broadcast is thus carried out.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of data exchange between the broadcast transmit source CPU and MPA, the broadcast receive destination CPU, MPA, and the SMA in the broadcast method for this method. Polling is performed only by one CPU102 inside the CPU-PK, the broadcast data is written in the broadcast register 181 inside that CPU-PK, and the other CPUs 102 inside that CPU-PK perform polling of the broadcast register 181 inside that CPU-PK so that the usage rate of the shared memory access paths may be reduced.

Therefore, in the invention as described above, a disk array controller connected in a star configuration between a shared memory and a plurality of processors that is capable of broadcasting can be provided. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; a memory unit coupled to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, said memory unit having a memory in which information is stored; and a common bus coupling to processors included in said interfaces, wherein each of said processors of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to all of said processors of said interfaces, except its own, by way of said common bus.
 2. A disk controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; and a switch coupled to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, wherein each of said processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to each of the other processors via said switch.
 3. A disk controller according to claim 2, wherein said switch is comprised in a memory unit, said memory unit coupling to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by said respective access paths, and wherein each of the processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to said memory unit.
 4. A disk controller according to claim 3, wherein said memory unit has a memory for storing broadcast data transmitted from each processor of each of said interfaces, and all processors other than transmission source processors for the broadcast data perform polling of said memory in said memory unit.
 5. A disk controller according to claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of control signal lines, each of said control lines coupling the respective interfaces and said memory unit, wherein said memory unit transmitting interruption signals to interfaces, by way of said respective control signal lines when one of the processors writes broadcast data into said memory by way of said respective access paths.
 6. A disk controller according to claim 5, wherein upon receiving an interruption signal, each of the processors of said interfaces reads out the broadcast data written in said memory unit.
 7. A disk controller according to claim 5, wherein said interfaces respectively have a plurality of processors and a memory, and wherein upon receiving an interruption signal, one of the processors of each of said interfaces reads the broadcast data written in said memory unit and writes the read-out broadcast data in the memory within its own interface.
 8. A disk controller according to claim 7, wherein processors, except the one processor of each of said interfaces, reads out the broadcast data written in said memory within its own interface contained.
 9. A disk controller according to claim 3, wherein when any of the processors transmits broadcast data to said memory unit by way of a corresponding access path, said memory unit transmits a write request for the broadcast data to said plurality of interfaces by way of said communication plurality of access paths.
 10. A disk controller according to claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of interfaces have a respective memory, and when each of said plurality of interfaces receives a write request from said memory unit, each of said plurality of interfaces writes the broadcast data into said respective memory.
 11. A disk controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; a memory unit coupled to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, said memory unit having a memory in which control information is stored, wherein each of the processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to said memory unit; and a plurality of control signal lines, each of said control lines connecting respective interfaces and said memory unit, wherein said memory unit transmitting interruption signals to interfaces, by way of respective control signal lines when one of the processors writes broadcast data into said memory by way of respective access paths.
 12. A disk controller according to claim 11, wherein upon receiving an interruption signal, each of the processors of said interfaces reads out the broadcast data written in said memory unit.
 13. A disk controller according to claim 11, wherein said interfaces respectively have a plurality of processors and a memory, and wherein upon receiving an interruption signal, one of the processors of each of said interfaces reads the broadcast data written in said memory unit and writes the read-out broadcast data in the memory within its own interface.
 14. A disk controller according to claim 13, wherein processors, except the one processor of each of said interfaces, reads out the broadcast data written in said memory within its own interface.
 15. A disk controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; a memory unit connected to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, said memory unit having a shared memory in which control information is stored, wherein each of the processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to said memory unit, and wherein when any of the processors transmits broadcast data to said memory unit by way of a corresponding access path, said memory unit transmits a write request for the broadcast data to said plurality of interfaces by way of said corresponding plurality of access paths.
 16. A disk controller according to claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of interfaces have a respective memory, and when each of said plurality of interfaces receives a write request from said memory unit, each of said plurality of interfaces writes the broadcast data into said respective memory.
 17. A disk array controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; a memory unit connected to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, said memory unit having a memory in which control information is stored, wherein each of the processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to said memory unit; a selector coupled to said interfaces; and a cache memory coupled to said selector, wherein the number of access paths between said selector and said interfaces is larger than the number of access paths between said cache memory and said selector.
 18. A disk array controller comprising: a plurality of interfaces to host computers or disk devices, each of said interfaces having a processor; a memory unit connected to said interfaces in a one-to-one ratio by respective access paths, said shared-memory unit having a shared memory in which control information is stored, wherein each of the processors of each of said interfaces transmits broadcast data to said memory unit; a selector coupled to switch and said plurality of interfaces, wherein the number of access paths between said interfaces and said selector is larger than the number of access paths between said selector and said switch. 